Technology Update: Compressed Air

Walking into any industrial plant and locating a compressed air system wouldn’t leave you out of breath. Often given a bad rap for a lack of energy efficiency, properly managed compressed air systems can actually save energy and decrease downtime. The companies in this month’s showcase offer everything to suit your air compressor needs—from the actual compressors, to the service and accessories that complete the units, as well as other compressed air solutions to keep your facility operating smoothly.

SKF

The SKF® “SFD” dryer system is uniquely engineered for industrial applications to deliver compressed air free of oil, contaminants and water. In conjunction with large air compressors and systems, this compact unit dries compressed air for pneumatic applications directly from the tank, eliminating a need for after-coolers and additional external filters. The system also can be mounted on small air compressors or at point of use. Units can be supplied for 12VAC, 24VAC and 120VAC, or fully pneumatic requiring no electrical connection. All can serve whether in high or low ambient temperature conditions. All units can be customized to satisfy specific application requirements.

GARDNER DENVER

Gardner Denver recently expanded its line of Variable Speed, VS series compressors with the addition of the VS 80-110 and the VS 135-170 models. The VS 80 provides from 85 to 558 acfm, while the VS 110 delivers from 112 to 719 acfm. The VS 135 provides from 125 to 862 acfm, while the VS 170 makes from 139 to 1056 acfm. The efficient design allows for operation from 100% capacity down to 20% capacity, and maintains target pressure to ±1 psig with less storage than competition. Gardner Denver recommends 0.5 gallons per cfm of storage while competitors typically recommend 2 to 4 gallons per cfm.

Sullair Corporation

Sullair Corporation has expanded its S-energy® Series compressors. A broad range of these lubricated rotary screw air compressors is now available in both constant speed and variable speed drive models, ranging from 15 (11 kW) to 100 (75 kW) horsepower with capacities of 44 to 500 acfm and pressures from 100 to 175 psig. According to the company, the combination of the S-energy Series energysaving features has proven effective in reducing total life cycle costs. Additional energy savings are achieved with optional Variable Speed Drive (VSD) compressors. All models are available as a complete Performance Air System with optional integral Sullair SRS refrigerated dryers and filters.

Legris-Transair

The purpose of a compressed air piping system is to deliver compressed air to the points of usage. This compressed air needs to be delivered with enough volume, appropriate quality and pressure to properly power the components that use the air. Transair’s aluminum compressed air pipe system provides airtight fittings with full bore flow, creating a more energy efficient system. The compressed air pipe systems are quick to install and ready for immediate pressurization. Components are removable and interchangeable, and allow immediate and easy layout modifications. Unlike the performance of steel pipe, which degrades over time due to corrosion, air quality is clean with optimum flow rate performance with the use of a Transair pipe system.

EXAIR CORPORATION

EXAIR Corporation was incorporated in 1983 as a manufacturer of compressed air-operated products to solve problems in industrial plants. The company’s product line includes Cabinet Coolers for cooling electrical enclosures, Vortex Tubes for spot cooling, Air Amplifiers, Air Knives to blowoff, dry & cool, air-operated vacuums, vacuum generators and ionizing products for static elimination. According to the company, EXAIR products are designed to improve the overall efficiency of operations and offer many money-saving and energy-conserving tools. EXAIR’s Website includes extensive information to help user’s better understand the EXAIR products, including an application database, CAD library, PDF library, PowerPoints, FAQs and Air Data.

Saylor-Beall

The high technology design of Saylor-Beall Rotary Screw Air Compressors excels in a high duty cycle operation. The oil flooded air end makes this performance possible with an extensive oil reservoir. The oil and discharge air are continually cooled in a fashion similar to the radiator on a car engine. Oil is then separated from the discharge air and returned to the compressor. Saylor-Beall rotary screws are compact in design, needling less floor space than with conventional products. Oil and air filers are easily accessible, making routine maintenance easy. When installed with an optional enclosure, noise levels are reduced considerably.

Hitachi America, Ltd.

Hitachi offers many compressor products ranging from the smallest rotary and horizontal scroll compressors used in leading edge residential, commercial and industrial applications to the very largest turbo machinery for applications within the most demanding industrial environments. The company’s SRL Oil Free Scroll Air Compressors use a 100% oil-less design, which eliminates environmental emissions and concerns for natural resources. A proprietary tip seal and unique scroll wrap increase performance and extend service intervals. The AlumiteTM treatment extends scroll life and limits life cycle cost, and the tip seal material provides high performance with high reliability and extremely low wear.

Quincy Compressor Inc.

Quincy Compressor Inc. Quincy Compressor is a designer and manufacturer of reciprocating and rotary screw air compressors, vacuum pumps and a full line of air treatment components. The company has released a new line of compressed air system purifiers, condensate drains and high-tech modular desiccant air dryers to help industries comply with local environmental laws and produce high quality, clean and dry compressed air. The Q Mod heatless desiccant dryers deliver clean, dry air to the point of use by filtering liquids and adsorbing water vapor from a compressed air stream. Air is initially directed through a 0.01 PPM polishing pre-filter, removing untreated compressed air full of liquids, aerosols and mists. Quincy Condensate Purifiers use an environmentally responsible filtration process to remove condensate contaminates, like compressor lubricants including polyglycols, trapping them in a special filter cartridge that is lightweight and can be easily disposed of in accordance with local regulations. The replaceable cartridge system employs a carbon-free, oliophilic material in the purification process, and pre soaking is no longer necessary. Quincy energy-saving NO LOSS drains open only when, and for as long as, condensate is present. This allows the compressor(s) to run less often by not feeding leaks introduced by standard drains.

Atlas Copco

The AirOptimizerTM from Atlas Copco is an energy recovery service that saves electrical energy by reducing a compressed air system’s pressure band. The optimization system built into the AirOptimizer monitors the compressed air system and includes continuous algorithm updates along with software updates and yearly system audits. Atlas Copco also offers AirConnect, a suite of remote monitoring services that monitor vital statistics from a customer’s on-site compressors including pressure, flow and outlet element temperature. It also can spot instantly any issues or significant performance changes in real time and provide instant alerts across a wide range of mediums including e-mail and SMS alerts.

Donaldson Company, Inc.

Donaldson manufactures a complete line of drying and filtration equipment using innovative designs that focus on energy efficient operation and reliable performance. The company’s Ultra-Filter DF Series is designed for high quality filtration of compressed air or gas in a wide range of applications. The total filter design concept of the filter combines high performance, efficiency, ease of use, flexibility and safety. Features include a 50% reduced pressure drop; filter element and filter bowl that can be removed together; ability to be used as a coalescing or particulate filter; and nine available sizes as well as six filter element types.

3-D Service

3-D Service offers complete air system evaluations and specializes in solving air compressor problems. Factory-trained service engineers offer decades of compressed air service and troubleshooting experience to pinpoint problems and recommend common-sense solutions. 3-D Service carries air compressors from top manufacturers, along with a full inventory of parts and lubricants. Combined with a wide range of services, 3-D Service is equipped to handle any air compressor need.